Born on August 18: Luther Allison, the blues in his heart

He was born in 1939 in Widener, Arkansas (USA). A legend of highly electric blues, typical of the Chicago school, he passed away in 1997 at the age of 57.

Brace yourself, Luther Allison was born into a family of no fewer than 15 children in the small village of Widener. In 1951, his family moved to Chicago, a blues mecca if ever there was one. As a teenager, he taught himself guitar and frequented the city's clubs, particularly those on the West Side.

Inspired by Muddy Waters, Magic Sam, and Otis Rush, he quickly developed an energetic style that blended the intensity of Chicago blues with a rock sensibility.

In the early 1960s, he replaced Magic Sam at short notice at Ann's Playhouse, captivating an audience that hadn't come for him. Soon, his name was on everyone's lips. In 1969, he was the only artist not on the famous Chess label's roster to perform at the Arbor Blues Festival. Thanks to this remarkable performance, his career was launched and his first album, "Love Me Mama" (1969), was released on the small Delmark Records label.

In the 1970s, he signed with Motown, a rare (if not unique) achievement for a blues guitarist! His albums "Bad News Is Coming" (1972) and "Luther's Blues" (1974) confirmed his reputation.

Nevertheless, disappointed by the lack of recognition in the United States, he moved to France in 1977, where he found a loyal following. He then embarked on extensive tours throughout Europe and even signed with a French label for his album "Love Me Papa" (1977).

On stage, Luther is renowned for his marathon performances, sometimes playing for more than three hours, often descending into the crowd with his guitar to improvise. A Luther Allison concert leaves a lasting impression!

In the 1990s, buoyed by his success on the Old Continent, he returned to the United States and signed with Alligator Records, the label owned by Lonnie Mack and Koko Taylor. His albums "Soul Fixin' Man" (1994) and "Blue Streak" (1995) won several WC Handy Awards, the forerunners of the Blues Music Awards.

In 1997, at the height of his popularity, Allison was struck down by lung cancer. He died at the age of 57 just days after learning of the seriousness of his illness. His final album, "Reckless" (1997), was released shortly after his death.

His legacy continues to inspire generations of musicians, notably his son Bernard Allison, himself a renowned blues guitarist.

(MH with Stéphane Soupart - Photo : © Etienne Tordoir)

Photo: Luther Allison at the Fête des Leus in Frasnes-lez-Couvin (Belgium) in July 1981